Emergency firefighters trained in Nanaimo
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Updated: July 23, 2009 4:31 PM
Twenty candidates are taking wildfire suppression training
in Nanaimo July 23-24 as part of the Province's Emergency
Firefighter Training Program.
The two-day course is a comprehensive introduction to wildfire
suppression work, combining classroom theory with a hands-on field
component. Once trained, individuals with a valid S-100 certificate will be placed on an availability list to assist fire centres and suppression contractors if existing resources are fully utilized and contingency resources are needed.
When deployed, emergency firefighters earn $15 per hour and typically
perform mop-up, patrols, camp demobilization and other support functions under the supervision of experienced personnel.
The program, which targets unemployed forest workers and First Nations, is expected to cost $250,000 and is being co-ordinated by the Ministry of Forests and Range, Wildfire Management Branch.
The program's application process in now closed, with approximately 700 applications received from communities across B.C.
The public reports nearly half of all wildfires in B.C. Please continue to report smoke and flames by calling toll-free 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks.
For more information, please visit the wildfire Management Branch
website at www.bcwildfire.ca.
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